PRINCETON,    N.    J. 


'PP^nn,U/y  T\.T^\Avm 


Dili,:   /. 

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Shflf. x,„n; 


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MISSIONARY  SERMON, 


PREACHED 


IN  THE  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


PHILADELPHIA, 


On  the  twenty-third  of  May,  1814. 


BY  ARCHIBALD  ALEXANDER. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED  BY  WILLIAM  FRY,  PRUNE  STREET 
1814. 


SESSION  OF  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY, 

May  24/A,  1814. 

Resolved^  That  the  standing  Committee  of  Missions 
be  requested  to  present  the  thanks  of  this  assembly  to 
the  Rev.  Archibald  Alexander,  D.  D.,  for  the  mis- 
sionary sermon,  which,  by  their  appointment,  he  had 
preached  the  preceding  evening;  and  that  the  Commit- 
tee request  of  Dr.  Alexander  a  copy  of  the  sermon  for 

publication. 

Attest^ 

,  JOHN  E.  LATTA, 
Perm.  Clerk. 


BY  THE  STANDING  COMMITTEE  OF  MISSIONS, 

May  24;^,  1814. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Committee  be  pre- 
sented to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Archibald  Alexander,  for  his 
missionary  sermon,  and  that  the  Committee  request  a 
copy  for  publication. 

Extract  from  the  minutes. 

EBEN.  HAZARD, 
Secretary. 


SERMON,  &c. 


Mark  xvi.  15. — Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the 
Gospel  to  every  creature. 

The  promulgation  of  this  command  marks  a  new  and 
important  era  in  the  history  of  the  church  and  of  the 
world.  These  words  may  be  considered  as  the  public 
and  formal  abrogation  of  the  Mosaic  economy;  and  the 
authoritative  annunciation  of  the  new  order  of  things 
under  the  gospel. 

The  first  communications  of  divine  truth,  through 
Adam  and  Noah,  were  made  indiscriminately  to  the  hu- 
man family;  but,  in  both  instances,  the  precious  deposit 
was  generally  adulterated,  and  nearly  lost.  The  wisdom 
of  God,  therefore,  saw  it  to  be  necessary  to  select  and 
separate  from  the  idolatrous  world,  a  particular  family 
which  might  serve  as  a  repository  of  the  divine  oracles 
and  institutions;  until  that  '  seed  of  the  woman''  should 
come,  of  whom  it  was  predicted,  that  he  should  '  dniise 
the  serpen  fs  head:''  and  that  *  seed  of  Abraham^''  in  whom 
all  the  families  of  the  earth  should  be  blessed. 

During  this  period,  the  church  of  God  was,  for  the 
most  part,  circumscribed  within  the  limits  of  the  elect 
nation.  Its  institutions  were  not  designed,  nor  calcu- 
lated, for  general  use;  but  were  local,  temporary,  and 
burdensome  in  their  nature,  yet  well  adapted  to  the 


purposes  for  which  they  were  appointed.  It  is  true,  a 
permission  was  given  to  the  Israelites,  to  receive  prosCf^ 
lytes  from  other  nations,  of  such  as  resided  among  them, 
or  should  choose,  for  the  sake  of  the  worship  of  the  true 
God,  to  come  to  them;  but  they  never  received  a  com- 
mand to  propagate  their  religion  among  the  surrounding 
nations.  They  were  not  authorised  to  send  out  mission- 
aries to  convert  the  world.  These  were  the  times  of  igno- 
rance^ which  God  winked  at.  He  would  leave  the  world 
to  make  a  fair  experiment  of  its  own  wisdom,  and  to 
exhaust  all  its  own  resources;  that  it  might  ever  after- 
wards appear  evident,  that  the  world  by  wisdom  did  not 
know  God;  and  that  a  divine  revelation  was  absolutely 
necessary  for  its  instruction. 

But  now  the  middle  wall  of  partition  was  broken 
down;  the  law  of  commandments  contained  in  ordinances^ 
being  abolished  in  the  Jiesh  of  Christ;  that  is,  this  law 
received  its  accomplibhment,  when  the  body  of  Christ 
was  lifted  up  on  the  cross,  as  a  propitiatory  sacri- 
fice for  sin.  By  this  means,  those  who  were  far  off 
are  made  nigh,  by  the  blood  of  Christ.  That  the  king- 
dom of  God,  or  gospel  dispensation,  was  not  fully  in- 
troduced until  after  the  death  of  Christ  is  evident,  be- 
cause the  Mosaic  institutions  until  that  time  continued 
in  full  force,  and  Christ  himself  rendered  obedience  to 
the  ceremonial  law  until  the  very  day  of  his  passion. 
The  kingdom  of  Heaven,  indeed,  was  preached;  that 
is,  it  was  announced  to  be  at  hand,  by  John  the  Baptist, 
and  by  our  Lord  and  his  disciples.  The  nature  of  this 
kingdom  was  unfolded,  and  its  future  condition  in  the 
world  predicted;  but  no  new  laws  were  promulgated, 
nor  any  new  institutions  set  up,  which  in  the  least  in- 
terfered with,  or  superseded  the  ceremonial  liturgy  of 
the  Jews. 


But  when  Jesus  Cuvust  ^  our  great  high  priest  of  good 
things  to  come,  had,  through  the  eternal  Spirit,  offered 
himself  without  spot  to  God  to  bear  the  sins  of  many;  and 
had  hy  this  one  offering  of  his  own  body,  perfected  for- 
ever them  that  are  sanctified,  the  service  of  the  first 
tabernacle  was  set  aside,  and  as  to  any  utility,  or  divine 
authority,  ceased  forever;  as  an  emblem  of  which,  the 
veil  of  the  temple  was  rent  in  twain  from  the  top  to  the 
bottom,  at  the  very  moment  of  expiation;  when  Christ 
our  high  priest,  by  shedding  his  vital  blood  and  pouring 
out  his  soul  unto  death,  offered  his  one  great  sacrifice 
for  sins. 

At  the  rising  of  the  sun,  the  feeble  light  of  the  stars 
is  lost  in  the  superior  splendour  of  his  beams.  When  a 
living  person  is  before  us,  we  no  longer  want  an  obscure 
delineation  of  his  features.  The  shadow  may  serve  to  give 
us  a  faint  idea  of  the  substance;  but  when  the  substance 
is  come,  we  may  be  content  that  the  shadow  should  fiee 
away.  The  restrictions,  tutors,  and  governors,  requisite 
in  a  state  of  minority,  are  not  needed  by  the  man  of  ma- 
ture age.  So,  when  Christ  was  manifested  as  our  priest 
and  sacrifice,  the  twinkling  of  the  types,  and  the  obscure 
sketch  of  the  ceremonies  of  the  law,  were  wanted  no 
more. 

The  King  Messiah,  had  already,  by  a  series  of 
stupendous  miracles,  and  by  completely  fulfilling  the 
prophecies  which  related  to  him,  established  his  claim 
to  the  high  character  and  office  which  he  assumed;  and 
having  laid  an  ample  foundation  for  the  kingdom  which 
he  was  about  to  establish,  he  now  issues  his  commis- 
sion  to  those,  whom  he  had  chosen  to  administer  and 
act  in  his  name,  and  by  his  authority,  upon  earth,  and 
says,  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature.^* 


As  his  kingdom  was  not  of  this  world,  he  would  not 
avail  himself  of  the  powers  of  the  earth  in  its  establish- 
ment: as  it  was  his  purpose  that  his  religion  should  not 
stand  in  the  wisdom  of  man,  but  in  the  power  of  God, 
he  rejected  the  aids  of  human  learning  and  eloquence; 
and  selected,  as  his  ministers,  rude  and  illiterate  men, 
taken  from  an  unimproved  part  of  the  country,  and 
from  the  lowest  occupations  in  society; — men  totally 
unversed  in  the  policy  of  the  world,  and  incapable  of 
speaking  even  their  own  vernacular  tongue  with  pro- 
priety. To  such  ministers  did  Christ  commit  the  ma- 
nagement of  his  kingdom,  and  sent  them  forth  into  all 
the  world,  to  preach,  without  any  earthly  protection  or 
patronage.  This  little  band  of  heroes  went  forth  to  achieve 
the  conquest  of  the  world,  with  no  other  aid  than  the  help 
of  God,  with  no  other  armour  than  the  panoply  of  the 
gospel.  Their  weapons  were  not  carnal  but  spiritual,  yet 
mighty  through  God  to  the  pulling  down  of  strong  holds. 

But  we  are  not  to  suppose  that  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
sent  out  these  men  to  instruct  and  convert  the  world, 
without  qualifying  them  for  their  work.  Whom  he 
sends,  he  calls;  and  whom  he  calls,  he  qualifies.  The 
apostles  were  therefore  directed  to  tarry  at  Jerusalem, 
until  they  should  be  endued  with  power  from  on  high. 
Accordingly,  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  they  were  tho- 
roughly baptized  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  f  re.  The 
effects  of  this  baptism  were,  that  they  were  enlighten- 
ed to  understand  the  sacred  scriptures  of  the  Old  Tes- 
tament.— They  were  enabled  to  recollect  distinctly  and 
comprehend  generally  the  meaning  of  all  the  discourses, 
which  they  had  heard  from  the  lips  of  Christ. — Their 
faith,  love,  fortitude,  patience,  and  assurance  of  the  fa- 
vour of  God,  were  wonderfully  strengthened  and  in- 
creased.— They  were  endowed  with  the  extraordinary 


faculty  of  speaking  with  perspicuity  and  propriety,  lan- 
guages, which  ihey  had  never  learned,  nor  heard; — 
and  with  the  power  of  healing  the  sick,  dispossessing 
the  demoniac,  and  raising  the  dead.  There was  more- 
over given  to  them  a  mouth  and  wisdom  which  none  of 
their  enemies  could  withstand;  and  a  presence  of  mind 
and  promptitude  of  utterance,  which  enabled  them  to 
defend  themselves  with  composure  and  dignity,  and 
plead  the  cause  of  their  Lord  with  convincing  force, 
however  suddenly  called  upon,  or  however  august  and 
imposing  their  audience. 

So  great,  however,  was  the  power  of  early  and  na- 
tional prejudice,  diat  the  apostles  did  not,  for  some 
time,  understand  the  extent  of  their  commission.  They 
had,  before,  been  sent  on  a  short  mission,  on  which  oc- 
casion it  was  ordered,  that  they  should  not  go  itito  the 
%vay  of  the  Gentiles^  nor  even  enter  into  any  city  of  the 
Samaritans;  and  they  seem  to  have  thought,  that  by 
going  into  all  the  xvorld,  and  preaching  to  every  crea- 
ture^ no  more  was  intended,  than  that  they  should  go  to 
the  seed  of  Abraham  now  widely  dispersed  among  the 
nations.  But  this  veil  was  soon  removed,  by  a  particular 
revelation  made  to  Peter  in  a  vision;  and  by  the  calling 
of  Paul  to  the  apostleship,  who,  from  the  beginning, 
received  commission  to  go  to  the  Gentiles,  and  was,  in 
a  peculiar  manner,  designated  and  directed,  to  preach 
among  the  Gentiles  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 

We  read  in  history  of  many  persons  travelling  into 
foreign  countries  to  acquire  curious  and  useful  know- 
ledge, and  of  their  imparting  their  dearly  purchased 
treasure  to  a  few  chosen  disciples  on  their  return;  but  I 
believe  this  is  the  first  instance  on  record  of  any  per- 
sons leaving  their  own  country,  and  visiting  foreign 
parts,  with  no  other  than  the  benevolent  purpose  of 

B 


10 

communicating  important  information  to  their  fellow 
creatures.  The  very  novelty  and  sublimity  of  the  pro- 
ject of  reforming  a  world  lying  in  wickedness,  bespeaks 
a  divine  impulse;  but  the  success  of  these  first  mission- 
aries stamps  the  gospel  with  such  a  seal  of  authenticity, 
as  neither  the  lapse  of  ages,  nor  the  sophistry  of  its 
enemies  can  ever  obliterate. 

The  apostles  divided  the  world  amongst  them,  and 
whilst  some  went  to  the  East,  others  directed  their 
course  to  the  North, — the  West, — the  South.  They 
turned  their  back  upon  all  their  earthly  friends  and 
prospects,  and  went  forth  to  meet  sufferings  and  death 
in  their  most  frightful  forms;  but  they  were  supported 
by  the  conviction  that  they  forsook  nothing,  but  what 
was  perishable;  and  i^y  the  confidence  that  Heaven  was 
before  them^  whichever  way  they  turned  their  faces; 
and  near^  wherever  they  might  breathe  out  their  souls. 
Discouraged  by  no  diificulties,  and  appalled  by  no  dan- 
gers, they  penetrated  into  countries  not  described  by 
the  geographer,  aisd  whose  story  has  not  been  told  by 
the  historian:  and  even  the  record  of  their  own  labours 
is  only  in  heaven.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  they  proved  faith- 
ful unto  death,  and  have  gone  to  receive  a  crown  of  life. 
Most  of  them  it  is  believed,  received  also  the  crown  of 
martyrdom:  but  where^  or  how^  or  -when^  we  cannot  with 
any  certainty  say. 

In  further  considering  this  subject,  it  shall  be  my  ob- 
ject— 

I.  To  show  that  this  commandment  imposes  an  obli- 
gation on  the  ministry  and  on  the  church,  now  existing, 
to  j)ropagate  the  gospel  among  the  nations,  who  are  liot 
yet  blessed  vviih  its  light. 

II.  Endeavour  to  answer  the  question,  "  What  is  the 
present  duty  of  the  American  churches,  and  particularly 
of  our  own,  in  relation  to  this  command?" 


n 

III.  Conclude  with  some  considerations  and  motives 
to  stimulate  and  encourage  us  to  exert  ourselves  in  car- 
rying our  Lord's  will  into  effect. 

1.  In  the  first  place  then  I  am  to  show,  that  this  com- 
mand imposes  an  obligation  on  the  ministry  and  on  the 
church  to  propagate  the  gospel  among  the  heathen. 

The  proof  of  this  proposition  is  so  plain,  that  few  re- 
marks will  be  necessary  to  establish  the  point. 

It  is  evident  from  the  tenor  of  this  commission,  that 
it  did  not  respect  the  apostles  only,  but  their  successors 
in  the  ministry;  for  the  work  here  prescribed  was  too 
great  to  be  completed  by  so  small  a  number  of  labour- 
ers. What  could  be  done  by  zeal,  diligence,  and  perse- 
verance, they  effected:  but  the  world  was  too  wide,  and 
the  life  of  man  too  short,  to  admit  of  a  few  persons 
preaching  the  gospel  to  all  the  tribes  and  nations,  scat- 
tered over  the  surface  of  this  globe.  As  our  Lord  in- 
tended that  this  work  should  be  accomplished,  we  may 
conclude,  that  the  commission  to  execute  it,  extended 
to  the  successors  of  the  apostles,  as  well  as  to  them- 
selves. 

Again,  every  authorised  minister  of  the  gospel,  de- 
rives his  authority  to  preach  and  baptize,  from  this 
commission  which  Christ  gave  to  his  apostles.  He  has 
received  his  office,  it  is  true,  immediately  from  the 
hands  of  others,  already  in  the  ministry;  but  all  the  au- 
thority which  they  possessed  to  confer  such  an  office, 
is  derived  from  the  original  commission.  Otherwise  the 
office  of  the  gospel  ministry  vvould  be  merely  of  hu- 
man, and  not  divine,  appointment.  But  Christ  is  king 
in  his  church,  and  is  the  fountain  of  power  as  well  as 
honour. 

Now,  that  instrument  which  gives  authority,  must 
be  allowed  to  regulate  its  exercise.  If  we  receive  the 
office,  we  of  course  take  upon  us  the  obligation  to  fulfil 
its  duties.  But  the  commission  says,  "  Go  ye  into  all  the 


12 

world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature ^  The 
CO!. elusion  ti^  jt:fore  is  inevitable,  that  every  minister  is 
bound,  by  the  very  nature  of  his  office,  to  use  his  best 
efforts  to  propagate  the  gospel  through  the  whole  world. 

To  this  it  may  be  objected,  that  that  part  of  the  com- 
mission, which  directs  the  conversion  of  the  nations,  was 
peculiar  to  the  apostles  and  other  extraordinary  minis- 
ters of  that  age;  but  of  this  there  is  no  proof:  and  if  it 
were  true,  the  consequence  would  be,  not  only  that 
other  ministers  were  not  bound  to  execute  this  work, 
but  it  would  be  unlawful  for  them  to  attempt  it.  And, 
conversely,  if  it  be  lawful  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the 
heathen,  it  must  be  because  it  is  included  in  our  com- 
mission; and  if  comprehended  in  our  commission,  then 
we  are  bound  to  its  performance. 

But  a  more  plausible  objection  is,  that,  according  to 
this  view  of  the  subject,  it  would  follow,  that  every 
preacher  of  the  gospel  must  become  a  missionary, 
and  go  to  preach  to  the  heathen.  But  this  difficulty  will 
vanish,  if  we  consider  the  commission  as  given  to  a 
body  of  men,  that  is,  to  the  ministry  of  reconciliation^ 
who  are  to  act  in  concert  in  (  arrying  it  into  effect:  and 
also  if  we  interpret  it  agreeably  to  the  great  end  which 
Was  designed  to  be  acconipHshed. 

Suppose  a  literary  society  were  directed  by  authority, 
to  communicate  the  knowledge  of  some  art  or  science 
to  the  whole  world,  and  also  to  preserve  a  lively  recol- 
lection of  the  truths  communicated  on  the  minds  of 
their  disciples;  it  is  plain,  that,  whilst  it  would  be  ex- 
pedient for  some  to  go  into  foreign  parts,  others  should 
commt-nce  their  work  at  home;  and  whilst  some  were 
engaged  in  teaching  those  who  had  never  learned,  others 
would  be  as  properly  employed  in  keeping  up,  and  in- 
creasing, the  knowledge  of  those  already  initiated. 

Such  is  the  state  of  the  case  with  the  mmistry,  who 
are  commissioned  to  preach  the  gospel  to  all  nations. 


13 

The  ground  which  has  been  gained,  must  not  be 
abandoned  for  the  hope  of  gaining  more.  The  know- 
ledge of  evangelical  truth  must  be  preserved;  and  those, 
who  have  heard  and  believed,  must  be  further  instruct- 
ed, and  their  children,  as  they  become  capable,  must 
also  be  taught.  This  requires  a  stationary  ministry. 
And  so  we  read  that,  when  Christ  ascended  up  on 
hi.^h,  he  gave  not  only  some  apostles,  prophets,  and 
evangelists,  l:)ut  also  pastors  and  teachers,  for  the  per- 
fecting of  the  saints  for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and 
for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ.  Accordingly,  the 
apostles  orduin<"d  elders  in  every  city,  where  thty  col- 
lected churches.  But  all  are  comprehended  under  the 
general  commission;  and  however  it  may  fall  to  the  lot 
of  some  to  be  stationary,  they  are,  nevertheless,  as  a  part 
of  the  body,  bound  to  promote  the  diffusion  of  the  light 
of  the  gospel,  by  every  lawful  and  practicable  means. 

But  to  establish  the  point  under  discussion  beyond 
all  possibility  of  doubt,  I  will  adduce  the  promise  of  our 
Lord,  which  he  annexed  to  the  commission,  for  the  sup- 
port and  encouragement  of  those  appointed  to  execute 
it.  The  command  of  Christ,  on  this  occasion,  is  not 
expressed  in  the  very  same  words  by  the  evangelists, 
Matthew  and  Mark;  or  rather,  they  have  recorded  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  discourse,  which  the  risen  Saviour 
delivered  on  this  occasion.  In  Matthew,  Christ  says, 
*'  Go  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  teaching 
them  to  obsei-ve  all  things  whatsoever  I  havie  commanded 
you:  and  lo!  I  am  with  you  alway,  even  to  the  end  of  the 
world.^'*  Now  these  last  words  clearly  ascertain  the  ex- 
tent of  the  commission.  Christ  well  knew  that  none  of 
those  persons  then  in  his  presence  would  live  to  the  end 
of  the  world;  but  he  addressed  the  apostles  as  standing 
at  the  head  of  a  long  succession  of  preachers,  which 


14 

should  not  cease,  until  he  should  come  again,  wlien  the 
world  would  be  at  an  end. 

Now  it  is  plain,  that  the  promise  and  command  are  of 
equal  extent:  for  they  are  addressed  to  the  same  per- 
sons, at  the  same  time,  and  the  one  was  intended  to 
encourage  those,  who  should  obey  the  other;  but  the 
promise  reaches  through  every  age  to  the  end  of  the 
world;  therefore  so  also  does  the  command.  We  think 
OURSELVES  authorized  to  plead  this  promise;  but  as 
surely  as  \\q  do  so,  we  recognize  the  obligation  of  the 
commai;d:  for,  those  w  ith  whom  Chi  ist  hath  promised  to 
be  alway,  are  such  as  are  engaged  in  propagating  his 
religion  over  the  world. 

If  more  were  needful  to  be  said  on  a  subject  already 
sufficiently  plain,  I  would  argue  from  the  circumstances 
of  the  case.  The  work  commanded  to  be  executed  is 
not  yet  completed.  It  is  agreeable  to  the  will  of  God 
that  it  should  be  done.  It  is  predicted  that  it  shall  be 
accomplished.  Those  therefore  who  manage  the  affairs 
of  Christ's  kingdom,  are  bound,  by  every  lawful  means, 
to  comply  with  the  revealed  will  of  God,  and  to  fulfil 
his  unchangeable  purpose,  of  giving  the  heathen  to  his 
Son  for  an  inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the 
earth  for  his  possession. 

The  only  thing  which  remains  under  this  head  is,  to 
show  that  the  obligation  of  this  command  extends  to 
the  private  members  of  the  church  as  well  as  to  the 
ministry.  Not  that  they  are  bound  to  preach  the  gospel; 
for  710  tjian  taketh  this  honour  unto  himself  but  he  that  is 
called  of  God,  asxvas  Aaron.  The  nature  of  the  duty  in- 
cumbent on  the  church,  in  relation  to  this  object,  can 
easily  be  made  apparent.  If  a  king  should  send  forth 
heralds  through  the  whole  extent  of  his  dominions,  to 
announce  some  important  intelligence  to  his  subjects, 
it  would  be  the  duty  of  all  not  only  to  avoid  throwing 


15 

any  obstacle  in  the  way  of  the  royal  ntiessengers,  but  to 
facilitate  their  progress  by  every  means  in  thfir  power, 
and  to  give  them  every  encouragement  and  support 
whiUt  engaged  in  the  king's  business.  Well,  Zioa's  king, 
who  is  THE  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords, 
hath  sent  forth  his  heralds,  and  commissioned  them  to  go 
to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  announcing  every  where  the  glad 
news  of  salvation:  are  not  all  the  subjects  of  this  King, 
then,  under  obligations  to  promote  this  object?  And 
how  will  THEY  answer  for  it,  to  the  Great  King,  who 
throw  obstacles  in  the  way  of  the  preachers  of  the  gos- 
pel, or  who  are  negligent  about  affording  them  assist- 
ance? This  is  a  great  work  which  is  undertaken,  deeply 
involving  the  honour  of  God,  the  interest  of  the  Re- 
deemer's kingdom,  and  the  salvation  of  souls.  'I'he  call 
is  loud  for  every  one  to  come  to  the  help  of  the  Lord 
against  the  mighty.  Every  thing  which  can  contribute 
to  the  accomplishment  of  the  important  end  in  view,  is 
put  in  requisition.  Power,  influence,  talent,  learning, 
wealth,  navigation,  coiTimerce,  medicine,  ought  all  to 
lend  their  aid  in  propagating  the  gospel. 

How  much  might  a  christian  government  effect  by 
friendly  negociution  with  heathen  powers  for  the  intro- 
duction of  the  gospel,  and  for  the  liberty  and  security 
of  missionaries!  What  a  blessing  to  the  world,  if  com- 
merce, so  often  stained  with  injustice  and  cruelty,  should 
be  sanctified  to  this  glorious  end!  W^hat  a  noble  return 
for  the  precious  commodities  of  the  East,  to  send  them 

THE  WORD  OF  GoD  AND  THE  PREACHERS  OF  SAL- 
VATION! What  a  change  in  the  affairs  of  men,  if  our 
merchants  esteemed  the  diffusion  of  truth,  and  the  sal- 
vation of  the  heathen,  a  merchandise  better  than  the 
merchandise  of  silver^  and  the  gain  thereof  preferable  to 
the  gain  offne  gold!  Thanks  be  to  God!  some  such 
merchants  there  are  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic!  But 
oh!  may  he  increase  their  numbers  an  hundred  fold! 


16 

But  not  only  those  possessed  of  power  and  wealth 
may  promote  this  ^reat  work,  but  every  humble,  pious 
Christian,  is  permitted  and  enjoined  to  bring  his  offer- 
ing. If  they  cannot  make  large  contributions  in  silver 
and  gold;  or  if  they  do  not  possess  talents,  learning, 
and  power,  yet  they  have  access  to  a  throne  of  grace, 
and  may  employ  humble,  fervent  prayer,  the  most  ef- 
fectual of  all  means,  in  promoting  the  cause  of  God. 

II.  I  come  now,  in  the  second  place,  to  inquire,  What 
is  the  duty  of  the  American  churches,  and  particularly 
of  our  own,  in  relation  to  this  command? 

1.  I  have  had  occasion,  already  to  observe,  that  this 
command  does  not  oblige  us  to  abandon  the  vineyard 
which  has  been  planted  in  this  western  world,  and  that 
it  is  as  much  the  duty  of  one  portion  of  the  ministry  to 
feed  the  flock  of  Christ,  already  gathered  unto  the  fold, 
as  it  is  of  another  to  go  in  pursuit  of  the  lost  sheep,  which 
are  still  wandering  in  the  wilderness.  Nay  more;  this  is 
our  first  duty.  To  leave  the  churches  without  any  regular 
supply  of  the  means  of  grace,  for  the  sake  of  planting  new 
churches  among  the  heathen,  would  be  no  less  absurd, 
than  for  the  husbandman  to  relinquish  a  field  already  in- 
closed and  cultivated,  to  clear  and  plant  new  ground  in 
the  wilderness.  Besides,  it  ought  to  be  taken  into  serious 
consideration,  that  in  the  increasing  and  widely  expand- 
ed population  of  this  extensive  country,  there  are  mul- 
titudes destitute  of  the  regular  administration  of  the 
word  and  ordinances:  and  this  is  true,  not  only  in  regard 
to  our  frontier  settlements,  but  to  the  very  suburbs  of  our 
largest  cities.  How  many  thousands,  in  this  land,  scarcely 
hear  the  sound  of  the  gospel  once  in  a  year!  Without 
the  most  energetic  exertions,  there  is  much  reason  to 
fear,  that  some  large  districts  of  our  country  will  sink 
into  a  state  of  ignorance  and  indifference  on  the  subject 
of  religion,  equally  as  fatal  as  paganism  itself.  The  souls 


17 

of  our  neighbours  and  countrymen  are  as  precious  as 
those  of  the  heathen;  and  they  are  more  within  our 
reach;  to  these,  therefore,  we  should  first  devote  our  at- 
tention and  exertions. 

The  blacks  and  people  of  colour  also,  in  a  peculiar 
manner,  demand  our  attention.  They  have  been  a  highly 
injured  people,  and  justice,  as  well  as  humanity,  de- 
mands, that  we  should  in  some  Way,  afford  them  re- 
dress; and  what  better  can  we  do  for  them,  than  to 
convey  to  them  the  knowledge  of  a  crucified  Saviour, 
in  whose  precious  blood  they  may  find  a  balm  for  all 
their  bleeding  wounds,  and  in  whose  gracious  promises, 
a  cordial  to  revive  their  fainting  hearts,  under  the  va- 
rious afflictions  which  they  are  destined  to  endure. 
These  people  are  amongst  us,  understand  our  language, 
are  easily  accessible,  and  willing  and  desirous  to  hear 
the  gospel.  Let  us  not,  therefore,  overlook  them  be- 
cause they  are  a  degraded  people,  but  let  us  rather  pity 
their  miserable  condition,  and  provide  for  them  the  rich 
consolations  of  the  grace  of  God. 

2.  Again,  it  must  appear  obvious  to  all,  that  the  hea- 
then of  our  own  continent,  and  on  our  own  borders, 
have  a  peculiar  claim  on  our  benevolence.  Without  a 
divine  warrant  we  have  driven  them  from  this  land.  The 
fine  country  which  we  now  occupy  was  theirs,  as  much 
as  any  country  can  be  ours.  But  what  have  we  given 
them  in  return?  The  gospel,  the  richest  treasure  which 
we  could  communicate,  and  the  communication  of 
which  would  not  have  rendered  us  the  poorer,  we  have 
in  a  great  measure  kept  back. 

How  little  have  we,  as  a  nation,  been  concerned  for 
their  conversion  to  Ciiristianity,  although  the  propaga- 
tion of  this  religion  was  made  the  ostensible  reason,  by 
the  governments  of  Europe,  for  taking  possession  of  all 
these  countries.  This  is  a  national  sin,  the  guilt  of  which 

C 


18 

is,  probably,  at  this  moment,  imputed  to  us,  by  him, 
who  weighs  the  actions  of  men,  and  renders  righteous 
retribution  unto  nations  as  well  as  individuals. 

Let  it  not  be  said,  that  the  savage  habits  and  roaming 
life  of  the  western  Indians  render  their  conversion  im- 
practicable. The  gospel,  accompanied  by  the  power  and 
blessing  of  God,  has  a  thousand  times  triumphed  over 
obstacles  equally  as  insurmountable.  Obstacles  as  formi- 
dable existed  in  the  case  of  our  own  heathen  ancestors, 
before  the  gospel  was  propagated  among  them.  Had 
those  men  of  apostolic  spirit,  who  preached  the  SAL- 
VATION OF  CHRIST  among  them,  been  as  easily 
discouraged  as  we  are,  how  miserable  might  our  situa- 
tion have  been  at  this  moment! 

Let  it  not  be  said,  that  they  must  first  become  ci- 
vilized, before  they  can  receive  the  gospel.  This  is  a 
mere  refinement  of  modern  times,  totally  unsupported 
by  historical  testimony.  What,  in  fact,  has  been  the 
great  means  of  civilizing  Europe,  but  Christianity? 
What,  in  the  nature  of  things,  has  such  a  tendency  to 
subdue  the  ferocious  passions  of  savages,  as  the  doc- 
trines and  institutions  of  our  holy  and  benevolent  reli- 
gion? Have  not  the  Ccffres  and  Hottentots,  the  Green- 
landers  and  Esquimaux,  the  most  degraded  of  all  savage 
tribes,  embraced  the  gospel  in  our  own  times?  Let  us 
then  hear  no  more  of  waiting  for  the  civilization  of  the 
Indians,  before  we  attempt  their  conversion.  Let  us  rather 
believe,  that  the  truest,  and  most  effectual  instrument  of 
civilization,  is  the  word  of  God;  and  that  the  renovation 
of  the  heart,  which  it  produces,  will  do  more  to  mitigate 
savage  ferocity,  than  all  the  arts  in  the  world. 

If,  therefore,  we  possess  any  zeal  for  the  salvation  of 
the  heathen,  let  us  endeavour  to  propagate  the  gospel 
among  the  Aborigines  of  this  continent. 


19 

3.  But,  is  it  the  duty  of  the  American  churclies  to  send 
missionaries  to  the  East?  This  question  has  of  late  en- 
gaged the  attention  of  the  Christian  public;  and  is  of 
great  importance.  Previously  to  expressing  an  opinion, 
I  would  premise,  that,  if  there  existed  any  proportion 
between  the  labourers  and  the  harvest,  according  to 
every  principle  of  judicious  distribution,  the  heathen  on 
this  continent,  would,  undoubtedly,  fall  to  the  lot  of 
the  American  churches;  and  would  furnish  a  field  suffi- 
ciently large,  for  all  their  zeal  and  exertions.  But  at  pre- 
sent, the  harvest  truly  is  great,  a?id  the  labourers  are  few. 
As  in  a  great  field,  which  cannot  all  be  reaped,  it  matters 
little  where  you  thrust  in  the  sickle.  The  only  question 
of  any  importance  is,  in  what  part  will  our  labour  be 
likely  to  produce  most  fruit?  Or,  what  part  of  the  har- 
vest is  most  ripe  for  the  sickle?  Such  is  the  present 
state  of  the  great  harvest  of  souls,  which  lies  before  us. 
The  little  band  of  missionaries,  who  have  gone  forth, 
or  who  are  likely  to  go  forth  from  Christendom  shortly, 
to  labour  in  this  field,  are  not  adequate  to  the  thou- 
sandth part  of  the  work  to  be  performed.  They 
should,  therefore,  commence  and  prosecute  their  la- 
bours, wherever  the  harvest  is  richest  and  ripest.  When 
I  turn  my  eyes  to  the  East,  two  considerations  strike 
my  mind  with  great  force.  The  one  is,  the  multitude  of 
people  who  inhabit  those  regions,  most  of  whom  are 
still  sitting  in  darkness,  and  in  the  region  arid  shadow  of 
death.  Hundreds  of  millions  of  immortal  souls,  hastening 
to  eternity,  without  any  knowledge  of  the  only  name 
given  under  heaven,  among  men,  whereby  we  must  be 
saved.  How  overwhelming  the  thought!  If  our  object  be, 
according  to  the  tenor  of  our  commission,  to  preach  the 
gospel  to  evert/  creature;  here,  here  is  the  place  to 
publish  the  glad  tidings,  where  millions,  in  a  short  time, 
might  be  made  to  hear  the  joyful  sound. 


20 

The  other  consideration  is,  that  there  appears  to  be 
a  great  and  eflTectual  door  opened  in  the  East,  at  this 
time,  for  the  propagation  of  the  gospel. 

For  many  years  past,  Providence  seems  to  have  been 
preparing  the  way  of  the  Lord.  The  Bible  has  been  re- 
cently translated  into  many  Eastern  languages;  and  THE 
WORD  OF  LIFE  begins  to  be  extensively  circulated 
among  the  heathen.  The  attention  of  the  Christian  world 
has,  after  a  long  sleep,  been  awakened,  and  directed  to 
this  portion  of  the  globe:  and  by  the  gracious  interposi- 
tion of  Providence,  favouring  the  exertions  of  the  piojiis 
and  benevolent,  those  odious  and  disgraceful  restrictions, 
which  prevented  the  introduction  of  missionaries  in  the 
East,  are  now,  in  a  great  measure,  removed. 

The  loud  call,  which  the  present  dispensations  of  Pro- 
vidence seem  to  send  forth,  to  all  Christian  nations 
in  behalf  of  the  millions  of  Asia,  is.  Go  over  and  help 
them.  Some  of  our  sister  churches  have  not  been  dis- 
'obedient  to  the  heavenly  call.  Our  brethren  in  the 
eastern  states  have  made  a  magnanimous  beginning,  and 
have  set  us  a  noble  example,  worthy  of  imitation.  Ano- 
ther large  Christian  society  seems  to  have  felt  the  di- 
vine impulse,  and  are  at  this  moment  in  motion.  Many 
sober  Christians  are  of  opinion,  that  the  awful  darkness 
of  a  long  night  begins  to  break.  Undoubtedly,  a  new  era 
has  commenced,  in  regard  to  the  propagation  of  the 
gospel.  And  shall  our  church,  as  numerous  as  any  in 
the  Union,  remain  idle  spectators  of  the  exertions  of 
others?  Shall  we  only,  pay  no  regard  to  the  signs  of  the 
times?  Can  we  be  contented,  to  prosecute  the  great  busi- 
ness of  missions,  in  the  same  cold  and  circumscribed 
manner  as  we  have  hitherto  done?  I  trust  not.  I  sin- 
cerely hope,  that  the  General  Assembly,  which  consti- 
tutes the  Missionary  Society  of  our  church,  will,  at 
their  present  sessions,  take  the  subject  of  foreign  mis- 


21 

sions  into  serious  consideration;  and  that  they  will 
resolve  to  co-operate  cordially  and  energetically,  in 
carrying  on  this  glorious  work. 

To  this,  I  am  aware,  there  are  some  plausible  objec- 
tions, the  principal  of  which  I  will  now  endeavour  to 
obviate. 

The  first  is,  the  want  of  funds.  If  our  efforts  hitherto 
have  been  barely  adequate  to  collect  sufficient  funds  to 
defray  the  expense  of  missions  to  our  frontier  settle- 
ments, how  can  we  expect  to  carry  on,  successfully,  an 
expensive  foreign  mission? 

To  which  I  answer,  that  our  churches  have  proper- 
tioned  their  contributions  to  the  object  which  we  have 
held  up  to  their  view.  But,  if  we  should  determine  on  a 
foreign  mission,  it  will  excite  the  attention  of  many, 
who  have  never  yet  been  pervaded  by  a  missionary 
spirit;  and  will  bring  into  operation  a  liberality,  which 
only  waits  for  an  opportunity  to  discover  itself.  But, 
whether  sufficient  funds  can  be  obtained  for  this  pur- 
pose, is  a  problem,  which  e^sperience  alone  can  certainly 
solve.  But,  if  I  am  not  deceived,  there  is,  at  present,  a 
disposition  in  the  people  of  this  country  to  promote  this 
object.  It  has  been  evinced,  in  every  instance,  in  which 
any  call  has  been  made  on  their  liberality,  for  the  dis- 
semination of  evangelical  truth  in  those  populous  re- 
gions. The  success  of  our  brethren  in  the  eastern  states, 
in  collecting  funds,  is  calculated  to  afford  ample  en- 
couragement. Only  let  the  people  know  that  you  mean 
to  send  missionaries  to  the  East,  and  many  will  be  for- 
ward to  contribute. 

If  this  respectable  audience  were  assured,  that  the 
collection  of  this  evening  would  be  appropriated  to  a  fo- 
reign mission,  I  have  little  doubt  that  their  contribu- 
tions would  be  doubled.  Nay,  I  believe  I  should  not 


2ii 

misrepresent  the  sentiments  and  feelings  of  some  of  my 
hearers  if  I  should  assert,  that  with  this  object  in  view, 
they  would  increase  their  contributions  tenfold.  Many 
have  begun  to  taste  the  refined  luxury  of  beneficence. 
Experience  has  taught  them  the  truth  of  that  saying  of 
our  Lord,  "  It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive;''''  and 
of  the  aphorism  of  Solomon^  "  There  is  that  scattereth 
and  yet  increascth^  and  there  is  that  withholdeth  more 
than  is  meet,  but  it  tendeth  to  po'uerty.^''  For  the  libe- 
ral soul  has  been  made  fat,  and  those  who  have  lent 
unto  the  Lord  have  been  repaid  with  large  interest.  It 
seems  to  be  a  principle  in  the  conduct  of  Providence, 
that  they  who  give  most  liberally,  shall  have  the  more 
to  give. 

Wealth  has  acquired  a  new  value  with  those,  who  have 
learned  this  exquisite  mode  of  enjoying  it;  for  no  trea- 
sures ever  afforded  such  delicious  gratification,  as  those, 
which  are  dedicated  to  the  Lord.  That  surplusage  of 
wealth,  which  has  commonly  been  employed  in  feeding 
vanity  and  gratifying  ambition,  would  be  abundantly 
sufficient  to  promote  all  the  important  objects  of  real 
benevolence.  Lideed,  if  only  the  one  hundredth  part  of 
the  money  expended  in  dissipations  and  luxuries  hurt- 
ful to  health  and  morals,  were  reclaimed  for  missionary 
purposes,  it  would  be  more  than  adequate  to  all  our 
wants. 

One  resource  may,  I  think,  be  depended  on,  if  others 
fiiil.  When  the  expensive  work  of  the  Levitical  Taber- 
nacle w^as  on  hand,  the  fair  daughters  of  Israel,  not  only 
performed  much  by  the  labour  of  their  hands,  but  with  a 
willing  heart  brought  their  most  valuable  jewels  of  gold, 
and  precious  stones,  and  dedicated  them  to  the  servi<x  of 
tlie  Lord;  and  we  read  that,  the  lave r,  a  very  costly 


and  important  part  of  the  sacred  furniture  of  the  Court  of 
the  Tabernacle,  was  made  out  of  the  looking  glasses,  or 
brazen  mirrors,  of  the  women  who  were  accustomed  to 
assemble  at  the  door  of  the  Tabernacle.  The  dignity, 
happiness,  and  usefulness  of  the  female  sex,  are  intimate- 
ly connected  with  religion.  It  has  often  been  mentioned 
to  the  praise  of  Christianity,  that  wherever  it  has  been 
received,  woman  has  arisen  from  her  degradation,  and 
assumed  her  proper  rank  in  society.  To  which  we  may 
add,  that  in  proportion  as  the  genuine  spirit  of  this  reli- 
gion is  prevalent,  the  importance  of  the  exertions  of  the 
female  sex  become  evident.  Not  to  detain  you  with 
accounts  of  their  frequent  instrumentality  in  the  intro- 
duction and  propagation  of  the  Christian  religion,  which 
are  recorded  to  their  honour,  in  the  early  history  of  the 
church,  I  will  only  advert  to  their  recent  exertions,  in 
this  city,  which  furnish  a  noble  pledge  of  what  may  be 
expected  from  them  in  this  glorious  cause. 

But  another  objection  is,  that  we  cannot  obtain  mis- 
sionaries willing  to  go  among  the  heathen,  in  lands  so 
distant.  A  few  years  since,  this  would  have  appeared 
an  insurmountable  obstacle;  but  a  great  change  has 
taken  place.  We  have  not  only  heard  of  some  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Europe  leaving  their  native  shores,  but 
we  have  seen  the  youth  of  America  willingly  offering 
themselves,  to  go  and  preach  the  gospel  to  the  heathen, 
on  the  other  side  of  the  globe.  And  even  delicate  fe- 
males, influenced  by  the  love  of  Christ  and  the  ardent 
desire  of  promoting  the  salvation  of  the  heathen,  have 
broken  asunder  the  tenderest  bonds  of  human  nature, 
and  have  deliberately  forsaken  aficctionate  parents  and 
beloved  brothers  and  sisters,  to  go  into  the  remotest 
lands,  never,  never  to  return. 


24 


I 


The  same  hallowed  flame  by  which  they  were  inspir- 
ed, glows,  at  this  moment,  in  many  a  youthful  bosom. 
The  language  of  their  hearts  is.  Here  am  /,  send  me. 
Open  the  way,  provide  the  means,  and  missionaries 
will  not  be  wanting. 

But  the  most  formidable  objection  is,  that  by  sending 
missionaries  abroad,  we  will  rob  our  own  vancancies, 
and  retard  the  propagation  of  the  gospel,  among  the 
Aboriginal  inhabitants  of  this  country.  If  I  believed  that 
this  consequence  would  follow,  I  should  feel  myself 
bound  to  protest  against  foreign  missions.  But,  before 
this  objection  be  admitted,  let  it  be  considered,  that  the 
number  of  preachers,  who  might  be  expected  to  go  on 
a  foreign  mission,  would  be  too  inconsiderable  to  pro- 
duce any  sensible  effect  on  the  churches  here;  but  whilst 
the  labours  of  less  than  half  a  dozen  persons  would 
scarcely  be  missed  at  home,  they  might  perform  the 
most  important  services  as  missionaries  in  the  East. 
But  this  measure  would  not  diminish  the  number  of 
faithful  labourers  in  our  churches.  There  is  the  strong- 
est reason  to  believe  that  the  effect  would  be  exceed- 
ingly beneficial  in  many  ways  to  professing  Christians. 
It  would  excite  a  missionary  spirit,  which  is  the  true 
spirit  of  Christianity.  It  would  raise  the  tone  of  religious 
feeling  many  degrees.  It  would  tend  to  the  destruction 
of  bigotry  and  of  a  narrow  sectarian  spirit.  It  would 
promote  peace  and  harmony  in  the  churches.  If  Chris- 
tians had  their  minds  properly  occupied,  and  their  hearts 
suitably  expanded,  with  this  noble  object  of  propagating 
the  gospel  among  the  heathen,  they  would  not,  they 
could  not,  spend  their  lives  in  petty  contentions. 

The  adoption  of  this  measure  would  excite  a  spirit 
of  prayer  for  the  heathen  among  God's  people.  If  they 
had  missionaries  labouring  in  the  East,  they  would  fre- 


25 

quently  and  earnestly  be  endeavouring  to  hold  up  their 
hands  by  prayer.  And  so  far  will  our  sending  mission- 
aries to  the  East  be  fronni  diminishing  the  number  of 
preachers,  for  the  supply  of  our  vacancies  and  churches, 
that  I  sincerely  believe,  it  would  be  the  best  measure 
which  we  could  adopt  for  the  increase  of  candidates  for 
the  sacred  ministry.  One  successful  missionary  sent  to  the 
East,  would  also  enable  us  to  do  something  more  effec- 
tually for  the  conversion  of  the  heathen  on  our  own  bor- 
ders, than  has  hitherto  been  done.  It  would  produce  that 
very  ardor,  which  is  necessary  for  the  commencement 
and  vigorous  prosecution  of  such  a  work.  It  would  not 
be  long  before  enterprising  missionaries  would  explore 
our  Western  wilds,  and  visit  the  many  tribes  of  Indians 
who  are  scattered  over  this  vast  continent:  and  the  la- 
bourers in  the  West  would  soon  begin  to  emulate  those 
in  the  Eastern  parts  of  the  vine3'ard. 

III.  But  in  whatever  way,  or  among  whatever  people, 
we  may  think  it  most  expedient  to  propagate  the  gospel, 
let  us  without  delay  be  active  in  the  fulfilment  of  this 
most  important  duty.  The  rfibtives,  which  should  urge 
us  to  activity  and  combined  exertion,  are  of  the  most 
forcible  kind.  The  honour  of  our  God  and  Redeemer, 
are  deeply  concerned  in  this  matter.  The  consideration 
of  so  many  millions,  giving  that  worship  to  dumb  idols, 
which  is  due  to  God  only,  ought  deeply  to  affect  our 
hearts,  and  will,  if  we  really  love  his  name.  Our  bosoms 
should  glov/  with  inextinguishable  zeal  to  overturn,  by 
the  artillery  of  the  gospel,  those  monstrous  temples, 
and  hideous  idols,  on  whose  altars  such  multitudes  of 
our  degraded  fellow-creatures  are  daily  offering  their 
polluted  worship,  and  their  sacrifices  of  cruelty. 

And  is  it  no  dishonour,  think  ye,  to  Christ,  that, 
although  he  offered  himself  a  propitiation,  for  men  of 

D 


26 

every  nation,  that  so  many  have  never  yet  heard  his 
name.  When  oppressed  with  a  sense  of  sin's  desert, 
when  wounded  and  stung  with  remorse,  they  pine 
away  and  die  in  their  sins,  and  no  messenger  of  mercy 
comes  near,  to  speak  to  them  in  words  of  consolation. 
Did  not  Christ  come  to  destroy  the  works  of  the  devil, 
and  yet  are  not  four-fifths  of  the  population  of  the  world 
under  the  baleful  influence  of  this  Prince  of  darkness? 
Consider,  I  beseech  you,  the  value  of  one  immortal 
soul;  which  nothing  could  redeem  from  death,  but  the 
precious  blood  of  THE  Lamb  of  God;  and  which  is  des- 
tined to  an  immortal  existence,  in  glory  and  happiness, 
or  in  darkness,  disgrace,  and  everlasting  misery!  Cal- 
culate how  many  souls  are,  every  year,  perishing  for 
lack  of  that  knowledge,  which,  by  sending  the  gospel, 
we  might  convey  to  them.  I  have  no  wish  to  enter  into 
the  discussion  of  the  question  whether  the  salvation  of 
some  of  the  heathen  be  possible  without  the  knowledge 
of  a  Saviour,  in  some  extraordinary  way  unknown  to  us. 
In  whatever  way  this  question  may  be  decided,  it  will 
have  little  or  no  influence  in  altering  the  motives  which 
should  impel  us  to  seek  the  conversion  of  the  heathen; 
for  it  will  be  admitted  by  all,  that  they  who  are  aban- 
doned to  gross  and  abominable  idolatry,  or  to  enormous 
vices  against  the  law  of  nature,  cannot  be  saved  in  that 
state.  If  they  could,  it  would  be  a  great  blessing  for 
multitudes  in  Christendom  to  be  converted  back  again 
to  paganism,  because  under  the  gospel,  it  is  plain,  that 
He  who  believeth  not  shall  be  damned.  What  then,  I 
would  ask,  is  the  condition  of  the  heathen  in  regard  to 
religion  and  morality?  Are  they  not  almost  universally 
either  idolaters,  or  enslaved  to  the  most  degrading  vices? 
No  words  are  sufficient  to  describe  the  abyss  of  depra- 
vity, into  which  most  heathen  nations  are  sunk.  Their 
moral  condition  is  wretched  and  disgusting  beyond  any 


27 

thing  that  the  imaghiation  can  easily  conceive.  All  those 
encomiums  which  philosophers  of  a  certain  school,  and 
for  a  certain  purpose,  have  lavished  on  distant  savage 
tribes,  are  proved  to  be  false — utterly  false. 

Now,  prejudice  and  system  aside,  I  appeal  to  your 
good  sense — I  appeal  to  the  benevolent  feelings  of  your 
hearts — I  appeal  to  your  conscience  to  decide,  whether 
it  be  more  charitable,  to  neglect  the  conversion  of  the 
heathen,  on  the  supposition  that  they  may  possibly  be 
saved  without  the  gospel;  or  to  carry  to  them  the  word 
of  God,  which  we  KNOW,  is  able  to  make  them  xvise  unto 
salvatioTi?  The  apostles  certainly  acted  under  the  belief 
that  the  knowledge  of  Christ  by  the  gospel,  was  ordi- 
narily  necessary  to  the  salvation  of  sinners;  otherwise 
they  would  never  have  sacrificed  their  lives  in  endea- 
vouring to  bring  the  heathen  to  the  knowledge  of  the 
truth.  They  believed  that  there  was  but  one  name  given 
under  Heaven,  by  which  men  could  obtain  salvation; 
and  therefore  they  exerted  themselves  to  the  utmost,  to 
spread  abroad,  in  all  lands,  the  savour  of  this  precious 
name,  knowing  that  men  could  not  believe  on  him^  of 
whom  they  had  not  heard;  and  that  they  coidd  not  hear 
without  a  preacher. 

O  ye  ministers  of  the  gospel!  the  successors  of  the 
apostles!  imitate  their  praise- worthy  example.  To  you 
now,  are  the  treasures,  and  the  keys,  of  the  kingdom  of 
Heaven,  committed.  Have  compassion,  1  beseech  you, 
on  your  fellow  creatures  and  brethren,  in  whose  veins 
the  same  common  blood  circulates,  and  who  are  des- 
tined to  the  same  immortal  existence.  O  pity  their 
wretched  condition,  and  endeavour  to  rescue  them 
from  impending  ruin. 

And  ye  people  of  God!  who  have  tasted  the  sweet- 
ness, and  experienced  the  power  of  the  gospel,  you 
know  how  dreadful  a  thing  it  is  to  stand  exposed  to  the 


28 

sentence  of  a  broken  law;  and  how  inexpressibly  de- 
lightful, by  faith,  to  view  The  Lamb  of  God  who  taketh 
away  the  sin  of  the  world.  Your  feelings  have  been 
made  alive  to  what  concerns  the  glory  of  God,  and  the 
honour  of  your  Redeemer,  and  the  welfare  of  immortal 
souls.  Can  you  therefore  remain  at  ease?  Can  you  cease 
from  exertion?  Can  you  restrain  your  prayers?  Will 
you  suffer  your  silver  and  gold  to  canker  in  your  cof- 
fers? Or  will  you  any  longer  lavish  your  treasures  on 
inferior  and  unnecessary  objects,  when  you  enjoy  such 
an  opportunity  of  applying  a  portion  of  your  wealth  to 
the  most  excellent  of  all  objects?  God,  in  his  providence, 
is,  in  our  times,  wonderfully  opening  a  door  for  the  pro- 
pagation of  the  gospel  among  the  heathen.  The  long, 
dark  night  of  superstition  and  error,  we  trust,  is  drawing 
to  a  close.  The  morning  star  already  appears  in  the  East- 
ern horizon;  and  ere  long,  we  hope,  that  the  Sim  of  Righ- 
teousness will  arise  on  the  millions  of  Asia,  ivith  healing 
under  his  wings;  and  will  extend  his  benign  influences 
over  the  whole  habitable  world.  The  sound  of  the  trump 
of  Jubilee,  proclaiming  the  day  of  salvation  and  accept- 
able year  of  the  Lord^  is  now  heard  on  die  plains  of 
Hindostan,  in  the  deserts  of  Africa,  and  in  the  remote 
and  far  separated  Isles  of  the  Southern  Ocean.  The. 
Indian,  the  jYegro^  the  Hottentot,  and  Otaheitean,  begin 
to  emerge  from  the  dismal  darkness  of  barbarism,  and 
to  assume  the  dignity  of  man,  and  enjoy  the  privileges 
of  the  Christian.  They  begin  to  taste  the  sweetness  of 
redeeming  love,  and  sing  the  praises  of  THE  PRINCE 
OF  LIFE,  in  their  own  native  tongues. 

The  Bible,  which  contains  the  words  of  eternal  life, 
has  been  circulated  of  late  to  an  extent,  and  with  a  suc- 
cess, which  fills  the  world  with  astonishment.  A  few 
years  ago,  we  would  have  deemed  incredible,  that  which 
we  have  lived  to  witness;-— and  if  an  angel  from  heaven 


29 

should  declare  the  events,  which  will  occur  during  the 
next  hulf  century,  perhaps  our  faith  would  stagger  at 
the  wonderful  report.  But  however  great  and  glorious 
the  events,  which  may  be  evolved  by  the  revolutions  of 
the  great  wheel  of  Providence,  they  will  probably  be 
effected  by  the  means,  which  God  has  already  appoint- 
ed, and  which  have  been  commonly  employed.  The 
churches  will  be  roused  to  exertion.  A  spirit  of  prayer 
and  supplication  will  be  granted.  A  liberality,  unknown 
to  former  ages,  will  be  called  into  exercise.  Many  will 
be  stirred  up  to  offer  themselves  as  missionaries.  Chris- 
tians, agreeing  in  the  great  fundamental  doctrines  of  the 
gospel,  will  become  more  united  in  spirit,  and  more 
harmonious  in  operation.  The  aspect  of  the  nations  will 
be  changed.  Wars  will  cease,  and  the  sword  be  turned 
into  the  plough- share,  and  the  spear  into  the  pruning 
hook.  National  animosities  and  antipathies  will  be  ex- 
tinguished or  mitigated.  Kings  will  then  esteem  if  their 
highest  honour,  to  become  nursing  fathers^  and  queens 
nursing  mothers  to  the  church.  There  will  then  be  no 
occasion  for  pathetic  addresses  to  the  passions  to  extort 
a  scanty  pittance  from  the  pockets  of  the  avaricious. 
The  people  will  offer  to  the  service  of  the  Lord,  as  of 
old,  when  they  were  obliged  to  tell  them  to  stay  their 
hand — that  it  was  enough. 

Whether  any  anticipation  of  the  spirit  of  these  future 
times,  is  possessed  by  my  present  audience,  will  now 
be  put  to  the  test.  The  object  is  now  before  you. 
Funds  are  needed  for  missionary  purposes — Perhaps, 
to  send  missionaries  to  the  East. — I  will  not  urge  you 
to  give,  nor  attempt  any  appeal  to  your  passions:  The 
Lord  loveth  a  cheerful  giver.  Let  every  one  then,  ac- 
cording as  the  Lord  hath  prospered  him,  and  according 
as  he  hath  purposed  in  his  heart,  bring  his  oblation  to 
the  treasury  of  the  Lord.  The  ponderous  gift  of  the 


30 

man  of  wealth  and  the  widow's  mite  will  both  be  ac= 
ceptable.  Of  one  thing  however  you  may  rest  assured, 
that  no  one  will  become  ultimately  the  poorer,  for  giv- 
ing liberally  to  such  an  object.  And  this  I  believe  would 
be  the  result,  if  your  contributions  should  be  increased 
tenfold.  Finally,  remember  that  the  principal  fruit  of 
your  liberality  will  be  enjoyed  in  heavenly  blessings. 
He  who  soweth  sparingly  shall  reap  also  sparingly;  and 
he  who  soweth  bountifully ^  shall  reap  also  bountifully. 

And  now  may  God  make  all  grace  abound  toward  yoUy 
that  ye  always  having  all  sufficiency  in  all  thingSy  may 
abound  to  every  good  work;  being  enriched  in  every  thing 
to  all  bountifulnesSj  which  causeth  through  us  thanks- 
givijig  to  God, 


IME  ENO. 


(4 


